The largest group of graduates, totalling some 1,400 persons, recently graduated from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) training, according to a release on Tuesday from the ministry.
The women from regions Three and Four, most of whom had no formal qualifications before starting the programme, are now formally accredited and on the path to gaining employment or starting their own business venture.
The release stated that the graduates, who included a handful of men, have completed training across nine courses including Child Care, Care for the Elderly, Graphic Design, Patient Care, Garment Construction, Television and Video Production, Microsoft Office Suite, Home Management, and Administrative Assistance.
The most subscribed courses were Child Care, and Care for the Elderly, with both recording over 300 graduates while Patient Care, and Graphic Design had over 200 graduates each.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud in her remarks at the ceremony disclosed that her ministry had started the initiative of the Day and Night Care and Early Childhood centres, and as such urged the graduates in those fields to complete levels Three and Four which will equip them with the knowledge and training required for special needs children and early childhood care.
“We are encouraging you to complete the levels three and four which will equip you with the knowledge and training on special needs children and early childhood. I am also encouraging you to start consortiums and groups and you can register that group to open your centres. All these centres need to be registered and licensed with the Childcare and Protection Agency. It is a good initiative, many parents are looking for safe environments to leave their children so we are encouraging solid training, good environments, safety and security for children and compliance.”
She also reminded the prospective business owners that the WIIN in business clinics are available to do startups, sustainability, and business plans.
One of the graduates, Monifa Abrams, stated, “This is my second year in Care for the Elderly programme. Care for the elderly is a passion and I try to do my best with this certificate to open my own care centre. I must thank the Ministry of Human Services and all the workers that helped us achieve this certificate and help other young women like me to move up in life.”
And Shaliza Alberts, who completed the Graphics Design course noted, “It was a good opportunity because I plan to open my own business. It has taught me a lot about the business I want to do so I will definitely be heading into the second phase. I want to thank the Minister and the Ministry of Human Services for this chance and I want to encourage women to go after their dreams with this programme.”
This year, WIIN is expected to train over 6,000 persons with its objective of providing vulnerable persons without any formal qualifications or means of achieving academic success through vocational training, the opportunity to get on the right path to earning, the release added.
